"At that point, the team is unable to keep on going and keep the other team out. There was little between the teams at that stage in the game, in fact we were probably the more dominant. At 24-12 I thought we were well in the game and then to concede 34 points just shows we don't believe we can go on and do it - which is sad, because there is the potential and the right people in that room to do it."

There was little to choose between the teams in a tough opening quarter after which the Broncos opened the scoring when they ran a penalty deep in the Leeds half and Chris Bailey worked his way over. Michael Witt added the conversion for a 6-0 lead but the Rhinos hit back with a vengeance. Shaun Lunt, came off the bench and grabbed two tries in five minutes, each one a dart from dummy half near the line.

Danny McGuire then grabbed two just before the interval and with Kevin Sinfield converting all four, the visitors went in at the break with a 24-6 lead. The Broncos got off to the best possible start in the second half, Keiran Dixon touching down out wide and Witt landing a magnificent touchline conversion to close the gap to 12 points.

Further pressure on the Leeds line resulted in scoring opportunities for both Howell and Kaufusi but neither were able to convert and suddenly Leeds went up a gear in the final quarter to completely blow away the Broncos' challenge.